Supreme Court rejects appeals from drug manufacturers over Medicare price negotiations with government
Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected appeals from drug companies against a government program to negotiate Medicare drug prices. This program, part of a 2022 law, allows the government to lower costs for certain expensive medicines used by seniors starting in 2026.Key Facts
- The Supreme Court refused to hear challenges from pharmaceutical companies about Medicare drug price negotiations.
- The negotiation program was created by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
- The law requires annual government negotiations on prices for some high-cost Medicare drugs.
- The program’s first price deals will start in 2026.
- No Republicans voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, but President Trump’s administration is using the negotiation authority.
- So far, the government has negotiated prices for 25 drugs, including popular weight-loss and diabetes medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy.
- The Trump administration announced a third round of drugs to be negotiated, raising the total to 40.
- Drug companies argue that lowering costs should focus on insurance and pharmacy managers, but Congress would need to act to stop the program.
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